Дублінці

           Kearneysaidnothing,but,asthemediocreitemsfollowedoneanotherontheplatformandthefewpeopleinthehallgrewfewerandfewer,shebegantoregretthatshehadputherselftoanyexpenseforsuchaconcert.Therewassomethingshedidn’tlikeinthelookofthingsandMr.Fitzpatrick’svacantsmileirritatedherverymuch.However,shesaidnothingandwaitedtoseehowitwouldend.Theconcertexpiredshortlybeforeten,andeveryonewenthomequickly.

           TheconcertonThursdaynightwasbetterattended,butMrs.Kearneysawatoncethatthehousewasfilledwithpaper.Theaudiencebehavedindecorously,asiftheconcertwereaninformaldressrehearsal.Mr.Fitzpatrickseemedtoenjoyhimself;hewasquiteunconsciousthatMrs.Kearneywastakingangrynoteofhisconduct.Hestoodattheedgeofthescreen,fromtimetotimejuttingouthisheadandexchangingalaughwithtwofriendsinthecornerofthebalcony.Inthecourseoftheevening,Mrs.KearneylearnedthattheFridayconcertwastobeabandonedandthatthecommitteewasgoingtomoveheavenandearthtosecureabumperhouseonSaturdaynight.Whensheheardthis,shesoughtoutMr.Holohan.Shebuttonholedhimashewaslimpingoutquicklywithaglassoflemonadeforayoungladyandaskedhimwasittrue.Yes.itwastrue.

           “But,ofcourse,thatdoesn’talterthecontract,”shesaid.“Thecontractwasforfourconcerts.”

           Mr.Holohanseemedtobeinahurry;headvisedhertospeaktoMr.Fitzpatrick.Mrs.